The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has suspended the Migwani Ward by-election in Mwingi West Constituency, Kitui County, following interim orders issued by the High Court.
In a public notice dated Tuesday, October 27, the commission said the suspension followed conservatory orders issued by the court on October 22, 2026, in Constitutional Petition No. E011 of 2026, filed by Francis Musili Kauta against the IEBC and three others.
“The Court issued the orders for a period of 30 days pending the hearing of the petition,” the commission stated.
The petition is scheduled for hearing on November 11, 2026. The suspension means the by-election will not proceed as planned while the court orders remain in force.
“The Commission urges members of the public and all stakeholders to take note of this development. Further updates will be communicated through the Commission’s official channels,” the IEBC added.
The development comes as the electoral commission intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election, including engagements with political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies and other stakeholders on electoral preparedness and the prevention of election-related violence.
On Tuesday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, accompanied by the commission’s vice chairperson, held discussions with a visiting delegation on the commission’s state of preparedness for the 2027 polls.
The engagement focused on ongoing preparations and priorities for delivering peaceful, inclusive, free, fair and credible elections.
The commission underscored the importance of stakeholder collaboration and sustained efforts to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and strengthen public confidence in the elections.
Separately, the IEBC participated in a multi-agency engagement forum on peaceful 2027 General Elections convened by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), in partnership with the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC) in Nairobi.
Representing the IEBC chairperson, Deputy Commission Secretary for Support Services Obadiah Keitany joined stakeholders in discussions on political decency, human rights, national cohesion and strategies to prevent electoral violence.
The forum examined emerging electoral risks, early warning mechanisms, accountability among electoral actors and a proposed Political Decency, Peace and Accountability Charter for political parties.
Keitany called on political parties and aspirants to embrace issue-based campaigns and reject hate speech, incitement, intimidation and violence.
He also emphasised the role of responsible media reporting, respect for human rights and constructive engagement among political actors in maintaining a peaceful electoral environment.
“Peace is a shared responsibility,” the commission said, urging stakeholders to translate their commitments into concrete action through stronger collaboration, timely identification of electoral risks and accountability.
Keitany also witnessed the signing of the Political Decency, Peace and Accountability Charter by the PPLC and the NCIC.
